They’re putting the bite on crime: meet ‘Hudson & Rex’

Remember Inspector Rex? He’s back – and this time, the crime-fighting canine is Canadian.

‘Hudson & Rex’. Credit: Duncan de Young/Shaftesbury Pope Productions.

Detective Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) is a cop who lives for the job. As part of the elite Major Crimes Unit in the city of St. John’s, his days (and nights) are devoted to solving crimes and taking down criminals. It’s hard to imagine any partner could live up to his high standards – and as it turns out, no human partner could.

German shepherd Rex isn’t your typical police dog. A “highly trained law enforcement animal” – well, that’s what Hudson calls him – his crime-fighting skills go far beyond sniffing out drugs on kids at concerts. Whether dealing with a kidnapping, a murder, a hostage situation, or a deadly car accident that might have been caused by a UFO, as a former K9 unit member Rex is more than up to the task of putting the bite on crime.

Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) and Rex (Diesel vom Burgimwald) in episode 1 of Canadian series 'Hudson & Rex' Credit: Duncan de Young/Shaftesbury Pope Productions

If this all sounds a little familiar, then this probably isn’t your first encounter with the Inspector Rex Cinematic Universe. Okay, the IRCU isn’t exactly a real thing (yet), but Inspector Rex is one of the world’s most popular television franchises, shown in more than 50 countries around the world and with numerous spin-offs and international versions.

The original Austrian version of Inspector Rex (AKA Kommissar Rex) established the formula we all know and love: one cop, one German Shepherd, and a lot of crimes that only a four-legged detective can solve. And make no mistake, in the original series Rex – real name Reginald von Ravenhorst – is the star of the show.

Credit: Duncan de Young / Shaftesbury Pope Productions

Since he made his debut in 1994 he’s had a number of partners and human helpers, and even moved countries when the series changed locations. But throughout it all Rex has been steadfast in his commitment to taking down the bad guys (and eating ham rolls).

The original Inspector Rex charmed SBS audiences in Australia. The production shifted to Italy in 2008 but that didn’t slow Rex down (not even after the episode where he took a bullet for his partner), continuing for another eight Italian seasons before he finally hung up his badge in 2015.

Rex and Hudson on the job. Credit: Duncan de Young / Shaftesbury Pope Productions

While there have been a number of international versions over the years, including in Portuguese, Polish, Russian and Slovak, Canada’s Hudson & Rex has easily been the most successful. It’s been sold to over a hundred territories, hence Rex is one of the world’s most successful television brands.

The crimes being faced aren’t always as offbeat as the ones the original Rex sometimes dealt with. In his first series alone, the original Rex had to deal with organ thieves, the theft of Beethoven’s skull and a sex club where a member had AIDS. But the combination of solid mysteries and an adorable dog using his canine abilities to help solve them is a formula that’s hard to beat.

Would you believe the Rex on Canada’s Hudson & Rex – real name: Diesel vom Burgimwald – is actually related to the original Inspector Rex? He is a 15th generation descendant. Clearly crime-fighting runs in the family.

Partners. Credit: Duncan de Young / Shaftesbury Pope Productions

Made a real-life honorary firefighter after his calm response to a lot of pyrotechnics in the episode titled ‘Fast Eddie’s’, on set Diesel has his own trailer, chef and chauffeur. Not that he gets to do a lot of relaxing, as he’s constantly training in preparation for future scripts. He’s got some big paw-prints to fill: previous Rexs were known for their ability to do everything from jump through car windows to turn on taps to open doors to savagely maul countless villains.

The bond between Rex and Hudson is central to the series, but as the pair only met a few days before filming began, emergency measures were required to build up a connection. As part of the trust-building process, Reardon would take Diesel for drives in his car… and sing to him.

It clearly worked. Diesel is completely convincing both as a police dog and as Reardon’s best buddy (though the bag of snacks Reardon keeps in his pocket may have something to do with it too). Canadian criminals beware: bad behaviour doesn’t stand a chance with this good boy on the case.

Seasons 1 and 2 of Hudson & Rex are now streaming at SBS On Demand.